The ET GenAI Hackathon 2026 has announced the results of its Idea Submission phase, with the shortlist finalised after evaluating entries from more than 54,000 builders across India. Shortlisted teams now advance to the Prototype Development Phase
The fast-expanding war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has captured global attention largely because it is disrupting oil and gas supplies from the Persian Gulf. Yet another resource is now emerging as far more critical to the survival of the region’s societies. Water
Indian technology stocks have seen an unprecedented rout over the past few weeks over fears of artificial intelligence upending the traditional outsourcing model that powers the country's $300bn (£223bn) back-office industry. The sell-off - part of a global correction in traditional software and
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday managed an easy victory in the biennial polls to five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, with its candidates including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin
Star Brazilian forward Neymar didn’t receive a call-up to the national team squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, although striker Endrick found a spot. With this snub, Neymar’s hopes of playing at the upcoming FIFA World Cup have received a massive blow
Regimes come and go. China’s interests in Iran will endure
Iran war: For China, the US's interventions in Iran serve as an important strategic insight. Beijing plans to adapt to any shifts in Tehran’s political landscape while safeguarding the essential flow of oil and protecting its vital interests.
Those who view President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran as a blow to China should think again. Beijing will manage any potential leadership change in Tehran as long as the oil keeps flowing, a summit with and President stays on track, and Washington handles Taiwan — China’s most sensitive red line — with care.
Xi’s strategy is closer to the ancient Chinese phrase that notes the benefit of sitting on the mountain and watching the tigers fight: conserve strength while others exhaust themselves, and intervene only if core interests are directly threatened.Beijing doesn’t think of alliances the way the US does. Partnerships are tools to secure economic and strategic resources, not to provide security commitments. The idea that it would swoop in to rescue either Iran’s clerics or Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro — seized by US forces in January — misinterprets how China works. That reticence was on display during last year’s Iran-Israeli confrontation, when it chose cautious diplomacy and official statements over material military support.
This time, too, it has had little to say beyond criticizing the US and Israel’s attacks and the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while urging Iranian restraint. Beijing is more important to Tehran than the other way around. It serves as a crucial economic lifeline for the heavily sanctioned state as its largest buyer of oil. Yet Iranian crude makes up only about 13% of China’s seaborne oil intake — significant, but ultimately replaceable.
Beijing has drawn Iran into blocs like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, institutions that help China chip away at American influence while broadening the appeal of Xi’s economic and political model across the Global South. It leaned heavily into this image in 2023, when it brokered the Saudi-Iran détente, presenting itself as a regional power capable of facilitating peace without US involvement.
But these relationships are transactional. “The Middle East is not a paramount security or foreign policy priority for the Chinese in the way it is for the Europeans and the Americans,” Eric Olander, co-founder of the China Global South Project think tank, told me. Iran has been useful as part of a loose alignment that complicates US dominance, he said, but it was never worth direct military confrontation or crippling secondary sanctions.
The diplomatic record reflects that. Xi has paid only one state visit to Iran since 2013, as the Brookings Institution notes — in 2016, when the two elevated ties with investments and cooperation. That stands in contrast to his frequent travel to major economic and strategic partners.
Bloomberg Xi will also be keen to prevent Iran from becoming a new flashpoint in US-China relations, particularly with a Trump visit expected later this month. Instead, he will focus on extending the temporary trade truce the two leaders negotiated in South Korea last October, so as to convert that agreement into more durable relief from American tariffs and technology restrictions.
Most urgent of all of Xi’s priorities is Taiwan. In a recent phone call, he urged Trump to handle arms sales to Taipei with “utmost caution.” Reports that the Trump administration is delaying a multibillion arms package to the self-governed island ahead of the summit won’t have gone unnoticed in Beijing.
Unification is central to Xi’s political legacy, and it is one of the many reasons Chinese strategists will study the operation in Iran closely. If the People’s Liberation Army were to launch military action across the Taiwan Strait, preventing US forces from deploying quickly or launching a strike, will be critical. Beijing has invested heavily in modernizing the PLA, but remains far behind in global intelligence reach and real-world combat experience. Both Iran and Venezuela have offered timely reminders of American power.
There are risks for China from continued instability in the Middle East. Iran supplies about 5% of global oil, and has the ability to restrict maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint critical to global energy flows. A complete outage could see prices jump around 20%, according to Bloomberg Economics, while a closure of Hormuz might push crude toward $100 a barrel or higher.
A wider regional conflict will expose other vulnerabilities. Beijing gets about a quarter of all of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas and is worried about regular supplies. Any prolonged shutdown would complicate an already tepid economic recovery.
Chinese leaders are also deeply sensitive to images of social unrest toppling regimes. If Iranians were to “take over” their government, as Trump has urged, Beijing would worry less about geopolitics and more about the possibility — however remote — of contagion, even in the tightly surveilled and controlled society.
The broader lesson Beijing will draw from this is that only the strong survive in Trump’s world. Beefing up its already extensive nuclear arsenal will take on fresh urgency, while it simultaneously accelerates technological self-reliance to reduce exposure to America.
The strikes on Tehran are not a setback for China. They are a lesson to absorb — and, if the US becomes distracted in a prolonged Middle East conflict, an opportunity to exploit.Views expressed here are the author's own, and not EconomicTimes.com's
Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
Source: EconomicTimes
Related Posts: How authoritarian regimes are using news to create a sense that democracy is ineffective Come To My House And Say It I-T Dept to nudge taxpayers to come clean on foreign wealth The Ten of Wands is guiding you to make space for the good things to come India-EFTA TEPA To Come Into Effect From October 1 iPhone 18 Series Unlikely To Come With New Design Surprises Has 8th Pay Commission Come Into Effect From 1 January 2026 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra To Come With Bigger Battery Than Galaxy S25 Ultra Trump's 'Sir, May I Come In iPhone Air 2 Launch Is Not Cancelled But It Might Come With These Two Changes
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said Sunrisers Leeds' signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed "indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians". Gavaskar's comments are the most high-profile criticism of Sunrisers' deal for Abrar at last week's Hundred auction
5 hours ago
The US artificial intelligence (AI) firm Anthropic is looking to hire a chemical weapons and high-yield explosives expert to try to prevent "catastrophic misuse" of its software. In other words, it fears that its AI tools might tell someone how to make chemical or radioactive weapons
5 hours ago
If one wants to explore the many debates and controversies surrounding the Congress and its role in shaping India’s political trajectory, there may soon be a new address in the capital to turn to. At 3, Safdarjung Lane, the official residence of Nishikant Dubey — the Bharatiya Janata Party MP
5 hours ago
Chelsea have been handed a Premier League record fine of £10.75m and a suspended transfer ban. It was a result of the club making secret payments to unregistered agents and third-parties over transfers between 2011 and 2018. But it could have been a lot worse
5 hours ago
Kerala Congress (M), BDJS announce names of 12 candidates eachKerala Congress (M) and BDJS announced candidates for the upcoming assembly polls, including KC(M) chairman Jose K Mani from Pala and 12 others from BDJS. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:36 AM IST By Vishnu Varma
5 hours ago
Iran’s National Security Chief Ali Larijani on Monday penned a note to Muslim countries, questioning their lack of support for Tehran as the US-Israeli war is now entering its third week with no clear end in sight, disrupting global energy supplies and raising fears of a spike in global inflation
5 hours ago
Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi expressed strong displeasure over Dr. Asif Nazar being considered for the Lahorighat Assembly ticket, citing Nazar's alleged association with an individual charged in an attack on Bordoloi. Bordoloi wrote to AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh
5 hours ago
A sessions court in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district on Monday convicted five persons and acquitted 35 others in connection with a 2016 case in which seven Dalits were assaulted in the town of Una, The Indian Express reported. Additional Sessions Judge Jignesh Pandya of the court in Veraval
5 hours ago
It's Hollywood's biggest night. The 98th Academy Awards featured emotional speeches, comical relief and a bevy of backstage fun. But it was perhaps a night to forget for Timothée Chalamet. As well as losing out to Michael B Jordan for best actor and One Battle After Another for best picture
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump on Monday said more than 30 mine laying ships of Iran have been destroyed which has affected Tehran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. “We are hammering their capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with more
5 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for March 17, 2026: A spontaneous moment could lead to a meaningful connectionLove Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:28 AM IST By Neeraj Dhankher Share via Copy link Aries: Mars is pushing you to
5 hours ago
Dubai arrests Iranian drone strike survivors after they sent explosion photos to loved ones3 foreigner nationals who survived drone strike in Dubai have been arrested after sending photos of the explosions to family members. Updated on: Mar 16
5 hours ago
‘Firms need to move to adaptive, energy-efficient AI models’Sarah Hooker is convinced that the future lies in AI systems that use less computing power, cost less to run and can adapt to the needs of users. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 6:58 AM IST By Shweta Taneja Share via Copy link In the last
5 hours ago
Baghdad witnessed a significant drone and rocket attack on the U.S. embassy early Tuesday. This incident marks the most intense assault since the commencement of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Iraqi security forces have heightened their presence across the capital. The Green Zone
5 hours ago
Russell Wilson trade update: Chiefs hand a shock to Giants QB with Justin Fields move Published on: Mar 17, 2026 5:03 AM IST By Khushi Arora Share via Copy link New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) waves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5 hours ago
![London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/chelsea-fined-and-faces-supended-transfer-ban-by-premier-league.webp?height=520)
London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial Reporting and Third Party Investment.In 2022, Chelsea FC’s current owners voluntarily reported to the League that they had evidence of
5 hours ago
A Bengaluru-based cafe has drawn attention on social media after adding a 5 per cent “Gas Crisis Charge" to a customer’s lemonade order, sparking debate on social media platform X. The unusual fee, applied on a bill for two mint lemonades, has left many users amused and some questioning its
5 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Still using an older laptop? These Intel 13th Gen laptops show what modern performance feels likeIntel 13th Gen laptops bring improved performance
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is planning to delay a high stakes visit to China later in March by about a month because of the Iran war. "We've requested that we delay it a month or so," he told reporters at the White House
5 hours ago
LDF ally ISJD, UDF ally RSP name candidates for four seats eachThe ISJD and RSP announced their candidates for Kerala Assembly polls, with ISJD's K Krishnankutty retiring from politics and RSP seeking assembly representation. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Vishnu Varma
5 hours ago
Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Operational strategies at work need refinementHoroscope Today: Read the astrological predictions for each zodiac sign based on an expert's guidance on March 17, 2026. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:19 AM IST By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
5 hours ago
The report from Elara Capital said retail gasoline and diesel prices “could be fully protected through excise cuts until roughly $110/bbl, beyond which price hikes on diesel and gasoline would become inevitable”. Also Read :Fino Payments Bank Shares Fall To 52-Week Low Amid Probe Reports;
5 hours ago
Punjab Assembly session: House passes motion against LoP Bajwa over ‘band player’ remarkThe Punjab assembly condemned opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa for alleged derogatory remarks about a minister, leading to chaos and a walkout by Congress. Published on: Mar 17
5 hours ago
More than a thousand citizens in Ladakh's Leh and Kargil regions rallied on Monday, echoing calls for statehood and adherence to the Sixth Schedule. Leaders from the Apex Body Leh alongside the Kargil Democratic Alliance expressed their discontent regarding the central government's stance
5 hours ago
Menstrual pain is often dismissed as an inevitable part of being a woman. But when cramps become debilitating, interfere with daily life or are accompanied by chronic pelvic discomfort, they may signal something more serious. One such condition is endometriosis – a long-term disorder affecting
5 hours ago
Khushbu Sundar comes out in support of Trisha amid her viral pics with Vijay: ‘She is one of the most dignified women’Khushbu Sundar has addressed the online chatter surrounding the public appearance of Vijay and Trisha Krishnan, after the divorce petition filed by Sangeeta. Mar 17, 2026
5 hours ago
Rex Culpepper's fiancee pays sweet tribute after tragic bike accident death: ‘I don’t regret' Published on: Mar 17, 2026 4:55 AM IST By Yash Nitish Bajaj Share via Copy link Former Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper died after an accident on Saturday (Instagram/Rex Culpepper) Rex Culpepper
5 hours ago
